Knitting Tutorial: Sweet Daisy Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet knitted bunny set is designed to look like a soft heirloom toy with a gentle spring style, making it perfect for nursery decor, Easter display, handmade gift ideas, and collectors who love artisan bunny dolls. The large bunny, tiny companion, daisy dress, straw-style hat, flower basket, and little strawberry create a charming set with boutique toy appeal. If you enjoy searching for knitted rabbit patterns, stuffed animal knitting projects, bunny doll outfits, or handmade seasonal decor to gift or sell at craft fairs, this pattern gives you a beautifully coordinated project with a polished, storybook finish.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Overview

This pattern is written in US English and is worked mostly flat, then seamed, stuffed, and assembled.

The finished set includes:

• 1 large bunny with long floppy ears, a rounded head, a slim seated body, long legs, and small curved arms
• 1 small bunny with matching proportions
• 1 large daisy dress
• 1 large brimmed hat
• 1 flower basket
• 1 small yellow romper
• 1 tiny strawberry

The shaping is planned to match the photo closely: a large rounded head, very soft facial definition, narrow shoulders, a slightly pear-shaped torso, long slim legs with rounded shoes, and ears set low enough to fall beside the face.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: DK weight, warm cream, about 220 g for large bunny and 40 g for small bunny
• Dress yarn: DK weight, pale sage green, about 60 g
• Daisy centers: small amount pale yellow DK
• Large hat and basket: DK weight in wheat, sand, or raffia beige, about 45 g total
• Small romper: DK weight in soft yellow, about 20 g
• Strawberry: red DK and small amount green DK
• Optional embroidery yarn: cream, blush pink, and brown or taupe for facial details
• Needles: US 2.5 / 3 mm for all toy pieces
• Optional smaller needles: US 2 / 2.75 mm if you knit loosely
• Toy stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Small buttons: 2 for dress straps, 1 tiny button optional for shoe detail

Gauge

Gauge is important for toy structure.

28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 2.5 / 3 mm needles.

Your fabric should be dense enough that stuffing does not show through.

Finished Size

• Large bunny: about 13 inches tall seated, about 16 inches from top of head to bottom of feet before seating
• Small bunny: about 5 inches tall seated
• Large hat brim diameter: about 5 1/2 inches
• Basket height: about 2 1/4 inches without handle

Abbreviations

• BO = bind off
• CO = cast on
• dec = decrease
• inc = increase by knitting into front and back of stitch
• K = knit
• K2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• P = purl
• pm = place marker
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• St st = stockinette stitch
• WS = wrong side

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Helpful Notes Before You Start

The body parts are written as separate pieces because that method gives cleaner shaping and makes it easier to match the seated pose in the photo.

Use small, even amounts of stuffing and shape as you go. Do not overstuff the arms and ears. The head should be firm, the body medium-firm, and the legs firm enough to hold a neat seated line.

When seaming, keep the knit side outward and align rows carefully. The soft sculpted look of the bunny depends on careful assembly more than heavy embroidery.

Large Bunny Legs Make 2

Leg

Using cream, CO 16 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
2. Row 2 RS: K all sts.
3. Rows 3-8: Rep Rows 1-2 three more times.
4. Row 9 WS: P all sts.
5. Row 10 RS: K5, inc, K6, inc, K5. 18 sts.
6. Row 11 WS: P all sts.
7. Row 12 RS: K all sts.
8. Rows 13-24: Work 12 rows in St st.
9. Row 25 WS: P6, P2tog, P2tog, P6. 16 sts.
10. Row 26 RS: K all sts.
11. Rows 27-34: Work 8 rows in St st.
12. Row 35 WS: P all sts.
13. Row 36 RS: K7, inc, K2, inc, K7. 18 sts.
14. Row 37 WS: P all sts.
15. Rows 38-52: Work 15 rows in St st.
16. BO knitwise.

Sew side seam. Gather one end lightly to round the foot tip, then close the lower foot seam.

Stuff the foot firmly, shape it into a soft oval, then stuff the leg a little more lightly as you continue upward.

The finished leg should be slim, slightly longer than the body depth, and should curve naturally when seated.

Large Bunny Arms Make 2

Using cream, CO 12 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
2. Row 2 RS: K all sts.
3. Rows 3-6: Work in St st.
4. Row 7 WS: P all sts.
5. Row 8 RS: K4, inc, K4, inc, K4. 14 sts.
6. Rows 9-18: Work 10 rows in St st.
7. Row 19 WS: P1, P2tog, P8, P2tog, P1. 12 sts.
8. Rows 20-26: Work 7 rows in St st.
9. BO knitwise.

Sew each arm into a narrow tube. Stuff only the lower two-thirds.

Flatten the open edge and leave it unstuffed for sewing to the body. The arm should look slim, soft, and slightly tapered.

Large Bunny Ears Make 2

Using cream, CO 14 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
2. Row 2 RS: K all sts.
3. Rows 3-10: Work in St st.
4. Row 11 WS: P all sts.
5. Row 12 RS: K1, ssk, K8, K2tog, K1. 12 sts.
6. Row 13 WS: P all sts.
7. Row 14 RS: K all sts.
8. Row 15 WS: P all sts.
9. Row 16 RS: K1, ssk, K6, K2tog, K1. 10 sts.
10. Row 17 WS: P all sts.
11. Row 18 RS: K all sts.
12. Row 19 WS: P all sts.
13. Row 20 RS: K1, ssk, K4, K2tog, K1. 8 sts.
14. Row 21 WS: P all sts.
15. Row 22 RS: K all sts.
16. Row 23 WS: P all sts.
17. Row 24 RS: K1, ssk, K2, K2tog, K1. 6 sts.
18. Row 25 WS: P all sts.
19. Row 26 RS: K1, ssk, K0, K2tog, K1. 4 sts.
20. Row 27 WS: P all sts.
21. Row 28 RS: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
22. Row 29 WS: P2tog. 1 st.
23. Cut yarn and fasten off.

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Make 2 matching ear pieces for each ear if you want slightly more structure, then seam them together. For a softer ear like the photo, use a single layer and seam the sides only.

Do not stuff the ears. Steam lightly if needed so they lie flat and drape beside the head.

Large Bunny Body

Using cream, CO 30 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
2. Row 2 RS: K all sts.
3. Rows 3-10: Work in St st.
4. Row 11 WS: P all sts.
5. Row 12 RS: K3, inc, K22, inc, K3. 32 sts.
6. Rows 13-18: Work 6 rows in St st.
7. Row 19 WS: P4, P2tog, P20, P2tog, P4. 30 sts.
8. Rows 20-26: Work 7 rows in St st.
9. Row 27 WS: P all sts.
10. Row 28 RS: K5, ssk, K16, K2tog, K5. 28 sts.
11. Rows 29-34: Work 6 rows in St st.
12. Row 35 WS: P all sts.
13. Row 36 RS: K6, ssk, K12, K2tog, K6. 26 sts.
14. Rows 37-42: Work 6 rows in St st.
15. BO knitwise.

Sew side seam to form a soft cylinder. Close the lower edge with a neat seam but leave space where the legs will be inserted.

Stuff the body firmly at the base and a little less firmly at the upper torso so the neck area is not bulky.

The body should look slightly narrower at the top and fuller at the lower half, matching the seated doll shape in the photo.

Large Bunny Head

Using cream, CO 36 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
2. Row 2 RS: K all sts.
3. Rows 3-10: Work in St st.
4. Row 11 WS: P all sts.
5. Row 12 RS: K6, inc, K6, inc, K6, inc, K6, inc, K6. 40 sts.
6. Rows 13-24: Work 12 rows in St st.
7. Row 25 WS: P all sts.
8. Row 26 RS: K6, ssk, K12, K2tog, K12, ssk, K6. 37 sts.
9. Row 27 WS: P all sts.
10. Row 28 RS: K5, ssk, K10, K2tog, K10, ssk, K5. 34 sts.
11. Row 29 WS: P all sts.
12. Row 30 RS: K4, ssk, K8, K2tog, K8, ssk, K4. 31 sts.
13. Row 31 WS: P all sts.
14. Row 32 RS: K3, ssk, K6, K2tog, K6, ssk, K3. 28 sts.
15. Row 33 WS: P all sts.
16. Row 34 RS: K2, ssk, K4, K2tog, K4, ssk, K2. 25 sts.
17. BO leaving long tail.

Sew into a rounded head shape. Gather the top and bottom openings neatly and close.

Stuff very firmly, especially through the cheeks and forehead. Shape the lower face slightly narrower than the upper head.

The head should look full and round, not long. The face in the photo is sweet and simple, so avoid pointed shaping.

Large Bunny Muzzle Shaping

Using cream yarn and a tapestry needle, make a tiny horizontal pinch at the center lower half of the face.

Take one stitch across about 3 stitches wide, pull lightly, and secure at the back. This creates the small muzzle bulge without making the face look sculpted too deeply.

Embroider a tiny inverted Y nose and mouth with taupe or soft brown. The nose should be only about 3/8 inch wide.

Small Bunny Legs Make 2

Using cream, CO 8 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
2. Row 2 RS: K all sts.
3. Rows 3-6: Work in St st.
4. Row 7 RS: K2, inc, K2, inc, K2, inc, K2. 11 sts.
5. Rows 8-14: Work in St st.
6. Row 15 WS: P1, P2tog, P5, P2tog, P1. 9 sts.
7. Rows 16-22: Work in St st.
8. BO.

Sew and stuff lightly, keeping the foot rounder than the top of the leg.

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Small Bunny Arms Make 2

Using cream, CO 6 sts.

1. Rows 1-10: Work in St st.
2. BO.

Sew into tiny tubes and stuff only a touch.

Small Bunny Ears Make 2

Using taupe-beige as in the photo, CO 8 sts.

1. Rows 1-6: Work in St st.
2. Row 7 RS: K1, ssk, K2, K2tog, K1. 6 sts.
3. Row 8 WS: P all sts.
4. Row 9 RS: K1, ssk, K0, K2tog, K1. 4 sts.
5. Row 10 WS: P all sts.
6. Row 11 RS: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
7. Row 12 WS: P2tog. 1 st.
8. Fasten off.

Leave the ears unstuffed and softly flattened.

Small Bunny Body

Using cream, CO 14 sts.

1. Rows 1-8: Work in St st.
2. Row 9 RS: K2, inc, K8, inc, K2. 16 sts.
3. Rows 10-16: Work in St st.
4. Row 17 RS: K3, ssk, K6, K2tog, K3. 14 sts.
5. Rows 18-22: Work in St st.
6. BO.

Sew and stuff to form a small oval torso.

Small Bunny Head

Using taupe-beige, CO 16 sts.

1. Rows 1-6: Work in St st.
2. Row 7 RS: K3, inc, K8, inc, K3. 18 sts.
3. Rows 8-14: Work in St st.
4. Row 15 RS: K3, ssk, K6, K2tog, K3. 16 sts.
5. Rows 16-18: Work in St st.
6. BO.

Sew into a rounded head and stuff firmly.

Embroider tiny eyes and a very small pink-brown nose and mouth.

Assembling the Large Bunny

Sew the legs to the lower front of the body, spacing them about 4 stitches apart. Angle them slightly forward so the bunny sits with both feet pointing outward a little.

Sew the arms at the upper sides of the body, about 3 rows below the neck seam. Tilt them downward gently.

Sew the head securely to the body, keeping the chin centered above the torso. Add extra stitches around the back neck so the head stays upright.

Sew the ears low on the head, slightly behind the crown line, not on top. Each ear should begin just above eye level and drape down alongside the face.

Assembling the Small Bunny

Sew the small legs to the base of the body. Attach the arms at the side seams. Sew the head on top with a short neck seam.

Attach the ears so they fall outward and down, matching the photo. The small bunny looks sweetest when the ears are slightly asymmetrical.

Large Daisy Dress

This dress is worked from the lower hem upward in one flat piece, then seamed. The skirt is gently flared and the bodice is narrow with straps.

Using sage green, CO 56 sts.

1. Rows 1-4: K all sts for garter hem.
2. Row 5 WS: P all sts.
3. Row 6 RS: K all sts.
4. Rows 7-16: Work in St st.
5. Row 17 RS: K2, K2tog, rep to end. 42 sts.
6. Row 18 WS: P all sts.
7. Rows 19-26: Work in St st.
8. Row 27 RS: K3, K2tog, rep across to last 2 sts, K2. 34 sts.
9. Row 28 WS: P all sts.
10. Rows 29-34: Work in St st.
11. Row 35 RS: K2, K2tog, K26, K2tog, K2. 32 sts.
12. Row 36 WS: P all sts.
13. Rows 37-42: Work in St st.

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Bodice shaping

1. Row 43 RS: K7, BO 4, K10, BO 4, K7.
2. Row 44 WS: P7, join yarn, P10, join yarn, P7.

Work the three sections separately.

Left back

1. Rows 45-52: Work 8 rows in St st on 7 sts.
2. Row 53 RS: K1, K2tog, K4. 6 sts.
3. Row 54 WS: P all sts.
4. Row 55 RS: K all sts.
5. Row 56 WS: P all sts.
6. Do not BO. Work strap.
7. Row 57 RS: K2, K2tog, K2. 5 sts.
8. Rows 58-71: Work 14 rows in St st.
9. BO.

Front center

1. Rows 45-50: Work 6 rows in St st on 10 sts.
2. Row 51 RS: K3, K2tog, K2, ssk, K3. 8 sts.
3. Row 52 WS: P all sts.
4. Rows 53-58: Work 6 rows in St st.
5. BO.

Right back

1. Rows 45-52: Work 8 rows in St st on 7 sts.
2. Row 53 RS: K4, ssk, K1. 6 sts.
3. Row 54 WS: P all sts.
4. Row 55 RS: K all sts.
5. Row 56 WS: P all sts.
6. Work strap on 5 sts to match left back.
7. Rows 57-71: Work as left back strap.
8. BO.

Sew side seam. Cross the straps over the shoulders if desired, or attach straight. Sew tiny buttons at the front top corners.

The dress should sit loosely around the lower body and narrow gently at the chest. It should fall to just above the ankles when the bunny is seated.

Embroidered Daisy Motifs on Dress

Using cream yarn, embroider small lazy-daisy style flowers across the skirt.

Place them in staggered rows. Use 5 short petal loops for each flower, then add a tiny pale yellow center stitch.

In the photo, the flowers are delicate and spaced out, not crowded. Aim for 8 to 10 flowers total on the visible front skirt.

Large Brimmed Hat

The hat is worked flat in sections for easy shaping and then seamed. A firm but soft brim helps it sit low over the ears as shown in the photo.

Using wheat or sand yarn, CO 60 sts.

1. Rows 1-6: K all sts for garter brim edge.
2. Row 7 RS: K all sts.
3. Row 8 WS: P all sts.
4. Rows 9-14: Work in St st.
5. Row 15 RS: K4, K2tog, rep across to last 4 sts, K4. 54 sts.
6. Row 16 WS: P all sts.
7. Rows 17-20: Work in St st.
8. Row 21 RS: K3, K2tog, rep across to last 3 sts, K3. 48 sts.
9. Row 22 WS: P all sts.
10. Rows 23-26: Work in St st.
11. Row 27 RS: K2, K2tog, rep across to last 2 sts, K2. 40 sts.
12. Rows 28-34: Work in St st.
13. BO.

Sew the short seam to form a hat. Gather the crown opening firmly and close.

Shape the brim outward with your fingers. If needed, lightly steam over a towel. The hat should have a broad relaxed brim that sits low and slightly angled.

Flower Basket

The basket is a small textured rectangle, seamed, with a handle attached after assembly.

Using wheat yarn, CO 18 sts.

1. Row 1 RS: K all sts.
2. Row 2 WS: K all sts.
3. Row 3 RS: K2, P2, rep to last 2 sts, K2.
4. Row 4 WS: K2, P2, rep to last 2 sts, K2.
5. Row 5 RS: P2, K2, rep to last 2 sts, P2.
6. Row 6 WS: P2, K2, rep to last 2 sts, P2.
7. Rep Rows 3-6 four more times.
8. Rows 27-28: K all sts.
9. BO.

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Fold and seam the sides and base to form a shallow basket.

Handle

CO 4 sts.

1. Rows 1-18: K all sts.
2. BO.

Sew each end of the handle to the basket interior sides.

Add tiny embroidered cream-and-yellow flowers to the basket opening, or stitch in a small bunch of crocheted or knitted flower tops if desired.

Small Bunny Yellow Romper

Using yellow, CO 20 sts.

1. Rows 1-4: K all sts.
2. Row 5 RS: K all sts.
3. Row 6 WS: P all sts.
4. Rows 7-12: Work in St st.
5. Row 13 RS: K5, BO 2, K6, BO 2, K5.
6. Row 14 WS: P5, join yarn, P6, join yarn, P5.

Work each side separately for straps.

Left section

1. Rows 15-18: Work 4 rows in St st on 5 sts.
2. Rows 19-24: K2, P1, K2 on RS rows and K all on WS rows for a neat strap texture.
3. BO.

Center section

1. Rows 15-18: Work 4 rows in St st on 6 sts.
2. BO.

Right section

1. Work to match left.

Sew the side seam and lower inner leg seam just enough to shape the romper. Leave the top back slightly open if needed for dressing.

Tiny Strawberry

Using red, CO 8 sts.

1. Rows 1-4: Work in St st.
2. Row 5 RS: K1, K2tog, K2, ssk, K1. 6 sts.
3. Row 6 WS: P all sts.
4. Row 7 RS: K2tog, K2, ssk. 4 sts.
5. Row 8 WS: P all sts.
6. Thread yarn through sts and pull tight.

Sew side seam to form a tiny cone-like berry and stuff lightly.

Leaf top

Using green, CO 4 sts.

1. Row 1: K all sts.
2. Row 2: K all sts.
3. BO.

Gather the strip at the center into a tiny star shape and sew to berry top. Add one short green stem stitch.

Optional Shoe Definition for Large Bunny

To match the photo more closely, make a tiny toe separation by taking 1 or 2 shallow stitches across the front lower foot on each shoe.

Pull very gently and secure inside the foot. This creates the soft divided-toe look visible in the image without making hard sculpted lines.

Optional Blush and Finishing Touches

Add the faintest blush with pink yarn stitched under the eyes, or use a dry textile-safe blush sparingly.

Do not overwork the face. The photo shows a calm, minimal expression with tiny eyes and a small centered mouth.

Photo-Matching Placement Guide

• Head: about the same visual width as the dress bodice and shoulders combined
• Ears: long enough to hang to near shoulder level
• Legs: each about the length of the body
• Arms: short and narrow, ending around waist level
• Hat: brim wider than head by about 3/4 inch all around
• Basket: small enough to hang from one arm without covering the dress
• Small bunny: about one-third the height of the large bunny

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the large bunny sits upright before sewing the final neck stitches tight. Position the eyes low and wide apart for a gentle expression. Keep the nose tiny and centered. Attach the hat after the ears so the brim settles naturally around them. Place the basket on the arm last.

Care Notes

Display toys away from direct sunlight and high humidity. If giving to a child, embroider features securely and avoid loose buttons. Handle the ears and flower basket gently so the soft shaping stays neat over time.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Both legs securely attached and bunny sits well
• Head centered and firmly supported
• Ears matched in length and placed low
• Dress hem even and daisy motifs balanced
• Hat brim shaped softly, not stiff
• Small bunny proportionate beside the large bunny
• Basket and strawberry attached or posed neatly

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild soap. Do not machine wash unless you have used fully washable stuffing and securely colorfast yarn. Reshape while damp and dry flat on a towel. For long-term storage, wrap in acid-free tissue and keep in a breathable cotton bag.